Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-30
MARRIED TO HIM.
YHH FINAL ACT IN A STRANGE LIFE
STORY.
xrs. Adele Livingston stevens Vow the
Wife Of the Marquis de Tslley.
. Rand-Perigord.

Gle TalleyraRd Perigord and Mrs Adele
Livingston Stevens were married in
Paris ON the 2tth instant. At the in
stance of the Marquis, scttlementsSvere
made by which Mrs. Stevens retains
the labsolute contrel of her property
and the interests of her children are
protected Judge Pierrepont, of New
York, acted as her counsel. The civil
ceremony took place at the Marie and
the religious ceremony was solemnizcd
at the American church, in the Rue de
Berri, by the Rev. Dr. Hough. The
Due dc Dino, father tothc Marquis, has
conferred upon his son, in honor of the
bride, the right to bear the title of Due.
The New York Times says: II is now
some twenty-three or twenty-four years
mnce the announcement of the engage
ment and the quickly-following mar
riage of Mr.. Frederick w. Stevens and
Miss Adele Sampson stirred the then
comparatively small circle Of New York
society. Mr. Stevens was member of
an old family long resident in New
York and on Long Island, and although
one of the most prominent young soci-
ETY. men Of his day was not well off in
this worlds goods. A young lawyer
with briefs yet to be won, aud no hopes
Of family inheritance, his com
pany was desired and sought
for his excellent position, engaging
qualities and handsome appearance, and
not for his possessions. Miss Sampson
was the daughter of Josiah Sampson,
wealthy Connecticut manufacturer, and,
while one of the great heiresses Of the
day, was comparatively little known IN
society. To handsome presence and
viyacious manners she added the charms
of superior and finished education,
acquired at the well-known Bolton
Priory School near Pelham, Westchess
ter county, and completed in Europe
ander the famous masters of the time.
For the maiden ladies, the Misses Boil
ton, who managed the Priory School,
Mrs. Stevens has always entertained
the strongest affection, and on her last
visit to this country, made under cir
cumstances now 20 be related. she spent
most of her time with them.
Miss Sampson brought to her hus-
band SO large an income as enabled the
couple to take at once a foremost posi-
ton among the society leaders and en-
tertainers of the day. Society fastened
to pay court to the handsome and
wealthy couple, and their early married
life was passed amid smiles and flowers
-Four children were born 10 them. and
the family was one OF the best known
in the metropolis. At the death OF
Mr.. Sampson, Mrs. Stevcns's father,
his large property went almost entirely
to her. and she was thus made one of
the richest women in America. The
dinners and other entertainments given
by Mr.. and Mrs. Stevens are still well
remembered. At one OF the former oc-
cured the diamondring episode in
which there figured 50 prominently the |
grandson of noted Secretary of the |
Treasury, and which has formed the |
theme Of more stories told and printed. !
than any other incident i'll the annals of |
New York society.
About twelve years ago Mrs. Stevens |
began the erection of the house No. ] |
west Fifty-seventh street, at the corner |
Of Fifth avenue, which is now owned !
by Secretary Whitney, and has become /
so well known to all New Workers. 1t
WAS one of the first TO be built of the |
many superb mansions erected in the
metropolis during the last decade, and |
excited the greatest curiosity and in
terest. Designed from an old French
chateau, no expense was spared in its ,
construction, or in its interior de- |
corations and furnishings. One |
room was furnished entirely from /
the contents of an old Norman /
mansion, and is still considered in its |
way the most beautiful in New York.
At Newport, also, where the family
spent their summers, the Stevens villa, |
which is situated on the west side of !
Bellevue avenue, a short distance south
from the Ocean House, was one of the
most luxurious in appointment and de-
coration, and was noted for the enter
tainments there given. In the summer
of 1880 or 1881 ball was given there
which surpassed in magnifcence any
former entertainment held in the fash
iOnable watering-place. The supper
room was cooled by tons of ice ar
ranged in pyramid, at the rear of
which calcium cOlored lights were
placed, which, shining through the
crystal mass, produced rarely beauti-
full effect
SO the years went on until abOut five
years ago, early in the season, it was
whispered, then rumored, and finally
boldly stated that Mrs. Stevens's name
had been stricken from off the society
list, and that she had gone to Europe to
join no less person than the Marquis
de Talleyrand-Perigord, leaving hus-
band and children behind. 1t was
then remembered that the Marquis,
who himself was married man. having
married Miss Bessie Curtis, of the old
Boston family of that name, and who
had visited New York and Newport in
1876 and again about 1881, had evinced
20 decided a preference for Mrs Ste
vens's society that some gossip
was provoked at the time
The fact that Mrs Stevens, how
ever, should have gone so far as to leave
home and family for Frenchman of
no particular personal attractions, the
Marquis being short and rather stout
and decidedly ordinary-looking, and
being moreover su posed to be deeply
in debt, and man having wife and
family, Occasioned the utmost sensation
and surprise. After few weeks it was
learned that Mrs. Stevens had taken
with her two youngest children, little
girls; the eldest child, Miss Daisy
and son, Mr.. Joseph Stevens,
having remained with their father. The
utmost sympathy was expressed for
Mr. Stevens and his children, and they
have retained this as well as the regard
of their friends ever since, Miss Daisy
Stevens being now one of the best
known of New York society girls.
Joining the Marquis de Perigord in
Paris, Mrs. Stevens travelled with him
through great part of Europe. 1t Is
said that she paid many of her lovers
debts, and no apparent effort was made
TO conceal their relations. The action
Of the Marquis in leaving his wife and
children created as great scandal in
Paris as Mrs. Steyens's fight had in
New York.
A year ago last spring Mrs. Stevens ,